Enterprise places a hold on your credit card equal to your estimated rental cost plus a damage deposit, typically $200 to $500 on top of the rental price itself.
The hold is not a charge — it is a temporary block that your card issuer places at Enterprise's request. The money stays in your account; your available credit drops, but you do not lose the cash. Enterprise releases the hold once you return the car and they inspect it for damage, which usually takes three to five business days after you drop off the vehicle.
The exact hold amount depends on the car class you rent, your location, and whether you decline their damage waiver. A compact car might trigger a $200 hold; a full-size SUV could be $500 or more. If you add a damage waiver (Enterprise's optional insurance product), the hold may stay the same or increase slightly, depending on the coverage level.
Key Takeaways
- Enterprise holds an amount equal to your rental cost plus a damage deposit, which is not charged unless damage occurs or you do not return the car on time.
- The hold reduces your available credit but does not remove money from your account; it releases within three to five business days after you return the vehicle.
- Hold amounts vary by car size, location, and whether you purchase their damage waiver, so ask the agent for the exact figure before you complete the rental.
- If you decline the damage waiver and return the car with damage, Enterprise will charge your card for repairs after the hold is released.
Why Enterprise Places a Hold Instead of Charging when ready
A hold protects Enterprise if you damage the car, return it late, or do not show up at all. Instead of charging you upfront and then refunding if nothing goes wrong, they freeze the funds as a may provide. This way, if you owe money beyond your rental rate — for a dent, a late fee, or fuel charges — they already have authorization to take it from your card.
From your perspective, a hold is better than an when ready charge because you keep the money in your account until Enterprise confirms the car is undamaged and returned on time. Your bank or credit card company counts the held amount against your credit limit, so if your limit is $2,000 and Enterprise holds $400, you have $1,600 available to spend elsewhere. Once the hold drops, that $400 becomes available again.
How Long the Hold Stays on Your Card
Enterprise typically releases the hold within three to five business days after you return the car. The timeline depends on when they inspect the vehicle and when your card issuer processes the release. Some banks release holds faster than others — a credit union might take five days, while a major bank might release it in two.
If Enterprise finds damage and charges you, the hold converts to an actual charge on your card. That charge appears on your statement and does not disappear after a few days. If there is no damage and no late fees, the hold straightforward vanishes and your available credit returns to normal.
What Happens If You Damage the Car
If you return the car with damage and you declined Enterprise's damage waiver, they will charge your card for repairs after the hold is released. The charge can be hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the damage. Enterprise may also charge a deductible or administrative fee on top of repair costs.
If you purchased their damage waiver, you typically pay a flat daily fee (often $15 to $30 per day) and are not responsible for damage charges. The waiver covers most collision and comprehensive damage, though it usually has exclusions like glass, tires, and interior damage. Read the waiver terms before you sign, because the coverage is narrower than you might expect.
Holds on Debit Cards and Why They Matter More
If you use a debit card instead of a credit card, the hold affects your actual bank balance, not just your available credit. A $400 hold on a debit card removes $400 from the money you can spend right now. If your account balance is $500 and Enterprise holds $400, you have $100 to use until the hold releases.
This is why many people prefer to use a credit card for car rentals: the hold does not touch your cash. Enterprise may also require a higher hold on a debit card — sometimes $500 or more — because debit cards carry more fraud risk from their perspective. If you must use a debit card, ask Enterprise for the hold amount before you complete the rental so you know whether your account can absorb it.
How to Minimize or Avoid a Large Hold
You cannot avoid a hold entirely — Enterprise requires one for all rentals. But you can reduce the amount by renting a smaller car, choosing a shorter rental period, or purchasing their damage waiver. A damage waiver sometimes lowers the hold because Enterprise's risk is reduced.
Before you pick up the car, ask the agent for the exact hold amount in writing. If it is higher than you expected, you can decline the rental or ask whether a different car class would lower the hold. Some Enterprise locations also offer prepayment options that lock in your rate and may reduce the hold, though this varies by location.
Make sure you return the car on time and in the condition you rented it. Late returns trigger additional charges, and damage charges are added on top of the hold. Both of these turn the temporary hold into permanent charges on your card.
What to Do If the Hold Does Not Release
If more than a week has passed since you returned the car and the hold is still on your card, contact Enterprise directly. Ask for the rental agreement number and confirm that they have processed the return. Sometimes holds stick because the location has not yet submitted the return paperwork to the main system.
If Enterprise confirms the car was returned undamaged and on time but the hold remains, contact your card issuer. Provide them with the rental agreement and ask them to investigate. Card companies can sometimes release holds manually if they confirm with the merchant that nothing is owed. Do not wait more than two weeks to follow up, because the longer a hold sits, the harder it is to trace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Enterprise hold money if I pay in advance?
Yes. Even if you prepay your rental rate online, Enterprise still places a hold for the damage deposit. The prepayment covers the rental cost, but the hold covers potential damage or late fees. The hold amount may be lower than if you paid at pickup, but it is not eliminated.
Can I use a prepaid card or gift card for the hold?
Most Enterprise locations require a major credit card or debit card in your name for the hold. Prepaid cards and gift cards usually do not work because they cannot process holds the same way. Call your local Enterprise location to confirm their payment policy before you arrive.
What if I return the car early — does the hold decrease?
The hold amount does not change if you return early. Enterprise placed the hold based on your original rental dates. Once you return the car and they inspect it, the hold releases regardless of whether you kept it for the full time. You may receive a refund for the unused rental days, but that is separate from the hold release.
Does the hold affect my credit score?
A hold does not directly affect your credit score because it is not a charge or a debt. However, it does reduce your available credit, which can affect your credit utilization ratio if you are close to your limit on other cards. Once the hold releases, your utilization returns to normal and any temporary impact disappears.
Can I dispute the hold if I think it is too high?
You can ask Enterprise to explain the hold amount, but you cannot dispute it before the rental is complete. If you believe the hold was placed in error or was not released when it should have been, contact your card issuer and provide the rental agreement. Your card company can investigate and may release the hold if Enterprise cannot justify it.